In a majority decision penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court invalidated a section of the law that forced certain states and counties -- mostly Southern -- to get federal approval for changes to voting laws.

Responding to the ruling with a statement released by the Equality Federation, the LGBT groups describe "the self-evident reality that racial protections are still needed in voting in this country" and assert "the court has done America a grave disservice."

Gov. Larry Hogan may have sent a message of “tolerance and mutual respect” during his inauguration on Wednesday, but advocates for the state's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community say his early actions in office have signaled something different.